The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 14, 2000
Filed:
May. 04, 1998
Michael J Hartigan, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Michael P Goldenberg, Delray Beach, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A foldable housing (11) for an electronic device (10) includes a body portion (12) and a flip portion (14). The flip portion (14) is rotatable joined to the body portion (12) by a relatively small hinge control mechanism (22). The hinge control mechanism (22) includes a U-shaped spring (28) having a pair of spring arms (42) and (44) between which a shaft (30) is located. As the flip portion (14) is moved, it rotates the spring arms (42), (44) around the shaft (30). Protuberances (34) and (36) on the shaft surface (32) deflect the spring arms (42), (44) to generate a force which varies with the amount of deflection and which holds the flip portion (14) in a closed position or in an open position, and allows the flip portion (14) to be adjusted from the open position to a read position selected by the user.